In the first scholarly research examining the role of black bloggers, Brown University’s Antoinette Pole found that bloggers of color are using this burgeoning medium to encourage political participation and activism. She also found that black bloggers do not feel discriminated against or excluded by other bloggers. Her findings appear in the International Journal of Technology, Knowledge and Society.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — In
the first scholarly research examining the role of black bloggers in the
blogosphere, Brown University researcher Antoinette Pole assessed how bloggers
of color use their medium for purposes related to politics. She found that black
bloggers are, in fact, mobilizing readers to engage in political participation.
Additionally, Pole found that black bloggers do not feel discriminated against
or excluded by other bloggers. These findings appear in the International
Journal of Technology, Knowledge and Society.

Among the top political blogs, Pole says blogging has primarily
been undertaken by white men, coined by Chris Nolan as the “Big Boys
Club.” She says blacks comprise approximately less than 1 percent of
political bloggers.

“Though they are less numerous, examining the role of
minorities in the blogosphere is important if blogs are being used to engage in
political discourse and discussion, and more importantly, political action that
has real-world implications,” Pole said. “Who has influence in the
blogosphere and how bloggers are using this new medium to undertake political
action merits study.”

Based on in-depth interviews with 20 black bloggers conducted in
November 2005, Pole’s study found that 85 percent of respondents use their
blogs to engage in political advocacy and to raise money for charitable causes.
A majority of the bloggers said they encouraged their readers to vote or to
register to vote; 40 percent of the bloggers asked their readers to contact
elected officials; 35 percent suggested that their readers sign a petition or
attend a rally, protest, or march. Several of the bloggers mentioned using their
blogs to endorse candidates for office. Compared to other research examining
blogging and political participation, black bloggers appear to be engaged in
these online advocacy efforts and philanthropic endeavors to a greater degree
than their white counterparts, according to the paper.

“I assumed these bloggers were writing about politics and
policy issues, but I didn’t realize the extent to which the authors
mobilize their readers and use blogs as a conduit for political
participation,” said Pole.

When black bloggers were asked whether they felt discriminated
against or left out by other bloggers, a majority of respondents said they do
not. “While black bloggers face challenges such as not being linked by
more popular bloggers or not receiving as much traffic as other bloggers, they
perceive the blogosphere as inclusive.”

Pole also found that black political bloggers do not necessarily
blog about issues that are unique to minorities, though at times, they emphasize
how issues affect blacks in particular. Respondents commonly reported writing
about a variety of topics including race and ethnicity, party politics, and
campaigns and elections.

“Findings from this research suggest the blogosphere can
be an avenue for greater political participation on the part of blacks and other
minorities, given the relatively low threshold to entry and what appear to be
low levels of discrimination,” Pole concludes.

This paper is part of Pole’s forthcoming book titled
Blogging the Political: Politics and Participation in a Networked
Society, which examines the impact of political blogging on politics and
participation.

Editors: Brown University has a fiber link
television studio available for domestic and international live and taped
interviews, and maintains an ISDN line for radio interviews. For more
information, call (401) 863-2476.